Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When an evil Witch transforms Sophie into an old woman, the meek shop girl finds that old age becomes her. To find a way to break the curse, Sophie hires herself as a cleaning lady for the Wizard Howl, a rogue who has a reputation for stealing hearts.

This is one of my favorite fantasy novels by one of my favorite fantasy writers. Sophie is hilariously liberated by being an old woman instead of a young one, and finds she has more power than she knew. Howl is an irresistible leading man - even his vanity is somehow appealing. The supporting characters are lovable, too, from the fire demon Calcifer to the wizard apprentice Michael. Almost everyone in the story is cursed or in disguise, and all these secrets lead to a chaotic and rapid denouement.

There are several sequels, including Castle in the Air and House of Many Ways, but they only have cameos by Howl and Sophie. For more of a character who is every bit as charming as Howl, try the Chrestomanci series. Chrestomanci is an incredibly powerful magician who is also something of a dandy. (Try Charmed Life first, it's wonderful.)

I can’t end without mentioning the gorgeous animated adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle by director Hayao Miyazaki, which is one of my all-time favorite films. It's true to the spirit of the book, and has a magic of its own.

Her Last Book

Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Andrew's grandfather leaves him a house, he also inherits other, unexpected responsibilities: querulous servants, a magical territory, and the care of Aiden, a young boy who shows up one day in desperate need of protection.

For fans of Chrestomanci and Howl, Andrew is a magician professor with as much on his plate as either of the other magicians Wynne Jones writes about. And what kid wouldn't want a dog like Rolf or a friend like Groil?

I have always enjoyed Diana Wynne Jones' fantasy stories, and this book is no exception. Funny and charming, the characters are uniquely likable creations, prickly in all the right ways. The ending felt unexpectedly rushed, and I feel sure that if the author had lived longer, she would have written a sequel.